Washington capitals forward Tom Wilson has been summoned to a meeting with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety on Wednesday. The league made the announcement early Wednesday morning, that Wilson will meet with the Department of Player Safety for his hit on Pittsburgh Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese.
The hit occurred midway through the second period and left Aston-Reese bloodied and with a broken jaw and concussion. There was no penalty assessed on the ice for the hit.
Wilson has garnered a reputation for brutal hits such as the one he delivered on Aston-Reese. Wilson avoided suspension after a hit in Game 2 on Brian Dumoulin. If Wilson receives any discipline, the perception of his reputation and the severity of Aston-Reese’s injury may play a factor.
The Capitals lead the best-of-seven series 2-1 after taking Game 3 in Pittsburgh off a game-winner from Alex Ovechkin. Wilson, who plays on the top line with Ovechkin, is an integral part of both the Capitals’ offense and defense. Losing him to any amount of games from suspension will certainly cause a ripple effect in the lineup.
Wilson has two goals and five assists and a plus/minus rating of plus-7 in nine games this postseason.
